Artwork

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris, and its Environs: Dedication Page

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris, and its Environs: Dedication Page is a print by the Romanticist artist John Girtin. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

John Girtin’s 1803 dedication page, part of his series titled *A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris, and its Environs*, is a printed sheet held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The page functions as a formal address to a patron, presenting ornamental heraldic motifs and a handwritten dedication that frames the larger collection of cityscape prints.

Subject & Meaning

The dedication is directed to the Right Honourable George, Earl of Y…, indicating the work’s intended audience among the British aristocracy. The inclusion of two lions flanking a crowned shield conveys notions of authority and lineage, reinforcing the patron’s status while also underscoring the prestige of the illustrated views of Paris.

Technique & Style

Printed on paper, the sheet combines a fine engraving of heraldic symbols with a hand‑written dedication rendered in elegant, looping script. The juxtaposition of mechanical reproduction and personal calligraphy reflects early‑19th‑century publishing practices, where printed images were often accompanied by bespoke textual elements.

History & Provenance

Created in 1803, the dedication page was part of Girtin’s broader effort to market his panoramic views of Paris to a European clientele. The sheet entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains catalogued as a representative example of Girtin’s commercial output.

Context

Girtin, a contemporary of Turner, was known for popularizing picturesque landscape prints. This dedication page illustrates how artists of the period leveraged aristocratic patronage, using formal dedications and heraldic imagery to secure support and enhance the perceived value of their visual tours of foreign cities.